Clamp



Feb. 9, 1943.

H. U. RANSOM E'TAL CLAMP Filed June 2'5, 1942 Patented Feb. 9, 19.43

CLAMP,

Horace U. Ransom and Leander G. Pynn, Meredith, N. H.

Application June 25, 1942, lserial No. 448,354

1 Claim.

surfaces joined, whereby the electrical resistance `of the joint between the conductors is minimized; and third, where electrical conductors are connected by clamps, `to provide means whereby the conductors may be joined with their axes in line; fourth, where electrical conductors are connected by clamps, to reduce corrosion between the parts of the clamp.

Four forms of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a longitudinal cross section of the clamp being used as a pipe vise, and Figure 2 is a transverse cross section on the line 2-2 shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross section of the clamp being used to connect an electrical cable lto the terminal of a storage battery, and Figure is a horizontal cross section on the line 4-3 shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of clamp shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure Slis a side elevation of the clamp'used for the same purpose as in Figures 3 and 4, but with the cable extending hormontally from the clamp.

Figure 7 is a partial sectional View of a further modified form of the invention.

The clamp consists of an inside piece I, and an outside clamping member or nut 2. In Figures 1 and 2 the clamp is represented as holding a piece of pipe 3; in Figure 3 the clamp is represented with a piece of electrical cable soldered into it'and grasping the terminal 3 of a storage battery. In this figure the cable extends verti cally above the storagey battery terminal and coaxially with it. The end of the inside piece I, on which the clamping member 2 rotates, is split longitudinally into halves by slots 5-5. These slots extend from the end of the clamp to the shoulders 6.

The clamping member 2 bears on the jaws of the inside piece I on two surfaces, marked 1 and 8. These surfaces on both the inside piece I and the clamping member 2 are cylinders of the same radius. The center or axis of the cylinder l is shown at point 9, and that of the circle or cylinderOB is at a point I0. These points 9 and I0 lie on a line including points -I III which passes through the axis or center of the clamp and also through the slots 5-5. Points 9 and l0 are on opposite sides of and equidistant from the center of the clamp. The hole in the clamp, into whichthe object grasped, 3, is inserted, is symmetrical with respect to the axis of the clamp; in the drawing it is a circlewhose center lies in the axis of the clamp.

The object to be grasped, 3, having been inserted in the clamp, if a wrench 'be' applied to the clamping member or nut 2 and the nut 2 be turned slightly in the proper direction (in the drawing, clockwise), the object 3 will be very rmly grasped. If the hole in the clamp, into which the object 3 is inserted, is of the same size and shape as the object 3, this grasping or holding pressure will be very evenly distributed over the surfaces where the jaws of the clamp bear on the object 3.

'I'his is true because: First, the surfaces 'l and 3, on the inside piece I and also on the clamping member 2, are cylinders of the same radius,

' and they are at all points symmetrical to each other about the axis of the clamp, therefore when the clamping member 2 is rotated so as to set up pressure between these surfaces, such pressure will exist between all parts of the said surfaces which are in contact and will not be concentrated over any small area.

Second, the hole in the clamp being of the same size and shape as the surface of the object held, when the jawsof the clamp are pressed against the object 3, there will be pressure between all parts of these surfaces which are in contact, and such pressure will not be concentrated over any small area Because of such evenly distributed pressure over all surfaces in contact with each other When the clamp is in action, the clamp accomplishes the objects stated above. Corrosion lbetween the working parts oil the clamp is re duced because, the surfaces oi" all working parts being pressed against each other, it is diillcult for moisture or corroding liquids to enter between such surfaces.

Figures 5 and 6 show ilat surfaces I4-II on the sides of the inside piece I, whereby the inside piece I may be held steadily with a wrench on the object 3, while the outside piece 2 is set up with another wrench.

While forms of the invention shown in the drawingare the present preferred forms, and

the uses shown are the principal uses to which we expect it to be immediately put, nevertheless the invention is in no way limited to such forms and uses.

In Figure 1 the large body I2 from which the jaws of the inside piece I proceed is intended to be held in any vise while work is done on the pipe 3.

Figure 6 shows a modication of Figure 3, where it is desired to have the electrical cable proceed horizontally from the clamp. Obviously the relative'dimensions of the various parts may be varied and various parts may be made inte- .gral without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also the inside piece might be made with three or more jaws, and the nut with a corresponding number of surfaces bearing on the said jaws, without modiiication of the principle of the invention.

The electrical uses of the clamp are not limited to the connection of a cable to the terminal of a storage battery, but the clamp may be used to l connect any sort of electrical conductors.

We claim:

In a clamp for a battery terminal, e. first part having an elongated tube, one end of ywhich has a small bore for receiving the end of an electric asiatica cable and the other end of which has a relatively large bore for receiving a battery terminal; the battery terminal receiving end having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots extending inwardly irom the end thereof and forming two segments, the interior surfaces of said segments being' smooth to t the battery terminai. the exterior surfaces of said segments being in the form of cylinders whose axes are equidis- 'tant from and on opposite sides of the axis of the clamp; a second exterior part coaxial with said first part, substantially coextensive with said slots and having the form of a nut with wrench engaging exterior surfaces. said second part havinginterior surfaces complemental to and in engagement with the exterior surfaces of said first part, and the terminal receiving end of the rst part being provided with an outwardly extending flanged portion to provide interengaging retaining means on said parts for holding the same in operative position; whereby rotation of said second part with respect to said ilrst part will cause contraction of said segments to grip the battery terminal.

HORACE U. RANSOM. LEANDER. G. PYNN. 

